Scraper or grader



Filed March 21, 195i 8 Sheets-Sheet l gwumtop Harry 6131177 *1 May 24, 1932. H. c. BUFFINGTON SCRABER OR GRADER 8 sheets sheet 2 Filed March 21. 1951 gym cantor y 1932- H. c. BUFFINGTON 1,859,496

' SCRAPER 0R GRADER I Filed March 21, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet s May 24, 19 H. c. BUFFINGTON SCRAPER OR GRADER Filed March 21, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet s 170mg dfiaf/Zkyiam dttmmq May 24, 193 H. c. BUFFINGTON SCRAPER OR GRADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 21, 1931 m w M [ferry [ffluf/ihyiarfl aw M y 1932- H. c. BUFFINGTON 1,859,496

SCRAPER OR GRADER.

Filed March 21, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 gwuentoz Ha My Lifiaf/Zzz giam vNlay 24, 1932. c, BUFFINGTON 1,859,496

S CRAPER OR GRADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 21, 1931 gwwn coi Harry ZLBuf/Zhyiam y gg WW abtmmqo Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE HARRY o. BUFFINGTON, or srnmermnn, ILLINOIS, Assmnon ro TEE BAKER MANU- rao'rnnme COMPANY, or SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, A conrom'rron or nLmoIs' SCRAPER R GRADEB Application filed March 21, 1931. Serial'No. 524,344..

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in scrapers or graders and more particularly to a back filler of plow, and so far as there is common subject matter is a continuation of my application filed January 12, 1929, Serial No. 332,038.

The principal object of the present invention resides in the provision of a device of the character described in which the back filler or plow is connected to a tractor, preferably of the crawler type, in such a manner that it may be raised or lowered to inoperative or operative position without placing a side strain on the track frame of the tractor.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means connected to the back filler or plow frame and positioned and adapted to engage the track frame in such a manner that when operated in one direction the filler or plow will be raised to inoperative position and when operated in the opposite direction will be lowered to operative position.

Still another object'of the invention consists in connecting to the frame of the back filler or plow abell crank lever, one portion of which will engage the track frame'of the tractor, and means being carried on the back filler or plow frame and controlled by the operator of the tractor for operating the bell crank lever. I

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of novel means secured to the I side beams of the back filler or plow frame to eliminate twist or strain on these beams.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel details of construction, and arrangement of parts, de

scribed in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, as they now appear to me, it will be understood that such-changes may be made as will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a. top plan.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through one of the side beams of the back filler or plow frame and one of the track frames with the bell crank lever shown in rear elevatlon connected to the side beam.

Fig. 4 shows a. transversesection through the supporting shaft for the bell crank lever with the bell crank lever and a portion of the track frame shown in side elevation.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through the bearing formed in the side beam of the back filler or plow frame for the bell crank lever supporting shaft, the shaft being shownin side elevation.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the bearing shown in Fig. 5 with the outer plate removed.

FIg. 7 is a side elevation of a slightly modifiedform of my invention.

' Flg. 8 is a top plan of the construction shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective of the back'filler or plow of Figs. 6 and 7 removed from the tractor. Fig. 10 is a fragmental perspective showmg one of the side beams of the back filler or plow frame with a bell crank lever and hydraulic jack for operating the same in position.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental longitudinal section through one of the side beams of the back filler or plow frame and the cylinder of one of the hydraulic operating jacks with parts shown inside elevation.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 1212 of Fig. 11 looking iii the direction of the arrows; an

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 1313 of Fig. 11 looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawings 1 indicates a tractor of the crawler type including a rear axle 2 and a front axle 3 which support, at opposite sides of the tractor, track frames 4, of the construction shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings, at opposite ends of which, are mounted the wheels 5and 6 around which operate the endless tracks 7 of usual construction. The sprocket wheels 5 are driven from anysuitable source of power and as the same forms no part of the present invention a detail illustration or description thereofhas notbeen made.

Secured to the upper surface of each of the track frames 4, intermechatethe ends thereof and centrally of the wldth 1s a plate 8 for a purpose which Wlll be later described.

In that form. of my improved back filler orplow illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings a frame is connected to-and operated by the tractor, this frame consistlng of the sidebeams 9,-the rear cross beam 10 and the front cross beam 11 to which the blade 12 is secured. Secured to the bottom surface of each of the side beams 9, to the rear of the blade 12, is a runner 1.3 and when the frame and blade are in lowered or operative position these runners engage the ground as shown moreparticularly in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Formed on or secured to the rear end of the tractor are the lugs 14 and formed on or secured to the rear cross beam 10 0f the' frame of the back filler or plow are the lugs or projections 15 extending inwardly of the cross beam and adapted to be aligned with the lugs or projections 14, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each of the lugs or projections 14 and 15 are provided with aligned openings through which a bolt 16 passes for pivotally connecting the rear end ofthe frame of the back filler or plow to the tractor. Also extending inwardly from the cross beam 10, adjacent the inner surfaces of each of the side beams 9, is a lug or projection 17 to which is pivotally connected one end of a link or bar 18, the opposite end of the link or bar being pivotally connected to a projection formed on or secured to the rear axle 2 as shown more particularly at 19 in Fig. 2

of the drawings.

Secured to and extending upwardly from each of the side beams 9 is a substantially vertically extending channel or standard 20 the upper ends of which are connected by the tie bar 21. A brace bar 22 is positioned between each of the channels or standards 20 and its supporting beam 9, one end of the brace being secured to'the channel or standard while the opposite end is connected to the beam. The channels or standards with theconnecting tie bar form a brace'to eliminate any twist on the side beams of the back filler or plow frame.

Each of the side beams 9 of the back filler or plow frame is provided intermediate-its ends with a thickened or enlarged portion 23 through which is a transversely extending bore 24 forming a housing for the roller bearings indicated generaHy at 25 which support the shaft 26 having the inwardly projecting portion 27 for a purpose to be later described. The ends of the bore 25 are closed by the plates 28 and 29 which are secured in position by'means of the bolts 30 extending through the plates and the thickened and 26 has an enlargement 31 positioned between the roller bearings 25 as shown more particularly in Figs. 5 of the drawings and this prevents longitudinal movement of the shaft within the bore of the beam.

Keyed to theextension 27 of each of the shafts 26 is a bell crank lever including the collar portion 32 and arms 33 and 34, the arm 34 having a, horizontal extension 35 carrying a roller 36 which normally bears upon the plate 8, secured to the adjacent track frame, as shown more particularly in F ig. 3 of the drawings. The roller 36 is secured or held on the horizontal portion 35 of the bell crank lever by means of the pin or key 37. The collar 32 surrounds the exten sion 27 of the shaft 26 and is held against rotary movement relative thereto by means of the key 38. The collar 32 is split as shown at 39 to provide the lugs 40 through which a bolt 41 extends and receives the nut 42. By adjusting the nut 42 on the bolt 41- the lugs 40 will be drawn toward one another so that the collar 32 will securely grip the extension of the shaft.

Secured to the arm 33 of each of the bell crank levers by means of the pivotal connections 43 and 44 is a rod 45 which extends parallel with the side beam 9 and has secured to its opposite end a sprocket chain 46 operating around'a horizontal sprocket 47, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2 of the drawings. After passing around the sprocket wheels 47 the end of each ofthe chains 46 is secured to a rod 48 extending with their ends connected to links 51 as shown more particularly in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The upper ends of the links are secured to a cross head 52 secured to the piston of a hydraulicjack 53. At 54 .I have illustrated an oil tank for containing the oil to operate the hydraulic jack and leading from this tank, to a valve 55 is a hose 56. Leading from the valve 55 to the hydraulic jack is a hose 57 andat 58 I have illustrated a control lever, within easy reach of the operator of the tractor, for operatingv the valve 55 through means of the connecting link or rod 59.

From the above detail description it is thought that the construction and operation of that form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the drawings will be clearly understood. It will be noted ate around pulleys 50 and extend upwardly the will of the operator to position the scraper blade 12 in either operative or inoperative position. Each of the side beams of the frame carriesa bell crank lever which has a horizontally extending portion projecting over the upper surface of an adjacent 'track frame with a' roller carried by thehorizontal arm in engagement with the up-.

per surface of the track frame or a bearing plate carried thereby. The bell crank levers being carried by the side beams of the back filler or plow frame, and engaging the track frames of the tractor will act to raise and lower the back filler or plow frame accord-' ing to the direction of operation, the engagement of the roller on the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever with the track frame acting as a fulcrum. In Fig. 1 of the drawings the hack filler or plow frame is shown with its forward end lowered and the scraper blade '12 in operative position. When it is desired to raise the blade the operator manipulates the lever 58 ,to position the valve to allow oil to pass from the tank 54 the hydraulic iack 53. The entranceof theoil into the cylinder of the jack forces the piston of the jack upwardly and through means of the cross head 52 and links 51 the chains 49'are drawn upwardly to pull upon the rods 48 which in turn operate the sprocket chains 46 to pull the rods 45 and draw the arms 33 of the bell crank levers rearwardly. This movement of the bell crank levers causes the rollers 36 to act as fulcrums in engaging the plates 8 of the track frames 4 and cause the back filler or plow frame to be raised, it being understood that the shafts 26 will rotate within the bores or openings of the side beams 9 while the bell crank levers are keyed to'the shafts. The back filler or plow frame will be held in its raised position until the valve55 is operated to release the oil from within'the cylinder of the hydraulic jack and when this is done the weight frames.

of the forward end of the frame will cause the parts, including the bell crank levers, to be returned to their normal position.- Preferably a pump will be employed for controlling the movement of the oil through the valve 55 but as this pump forms no part of the present invention a detail illustration or description thereof has not been made. I wish to lay particular stress on the fact that the rollers 38 carried by the bell crank levers engage the upper surface of the track frames at the longitudinal center lines of the track By engaging the track frames at these pointsall side strain on the track frames is eliminated. If the contact was not at the center line there would necessarily be a strain on the track frame.

of the bell crank levers.

In Figs. 7 to 13 of the drawings I have illustrated a somewhat different form of my invention in which the back filler or plow frame do'esnot extend entirely around the tractor and in which a hydraulic jack is supported by each of the side or, push beams of the frame and connected directly to an arm In this form of the invention the tractor is shown at and includes the rear axle 61 and front axle 62 which support, at opposite sides of the tractor, a track frame 63, at opposite ends of which are mounted the wheels 64 and 65 around which operate the endless tracks 66. The wheel 64 will be' driven in any suitable manner to in turn operate the tracks 66. back filler or plow illustrated in Figs"? to 13 inclusive includes a frame consisting of the side or push beams 67 and the front cross beam 68 to which the blade- 69 is secured. Secured to each of the side or push beams The 67, in the rear of the blade 69, is a runner 7 0,

the standards and to the side beams is a pair a of plates 73 spaced apart as shown more particularly in Figs. 9, 10 and 12 of the drawings to form a bearing for the shafts 74 as shown more particularly in Fig. 12. One end of each of the shafts 74 is provided with an inwardly directed extension to which an arm 75 is secured'by means of the bolts 76 and nuts 77. Each of the arms 75 has an inwardly directed horizontally extending portion 78 which overlies the track frames 63, as shown more particularly in Fig. 12 of the drawings, and a roller 79 is carried by each of the horizontally extending portions 78 of the arms 75 and engagesthe upper surface of a bracket 80 secured to the top of the track frame. Connected toeach of the shafts 74,

between the plates 73 of each pair, is an arm 81 which, as shown, is arranged at an angle relative to the arm-7 5 and cooperates with the arm 75 to provide a bell crank lever.

Mounted on each of the side or push beams 67, and spaced from the shafts 74 are the "brackets 82 in each of which is mounted a opening 88 and a bolt 89, carryin the nut 90 extends through the opening an through the top of the beam 67 for adjustably or slldably connecting the bracket to the beam. Formed on or secured to each of the beams 67 is an upwardly extending plate orprojection 91 having a threaded opemng in which a screw 92 is operable, the inner end of the screw engaging the bracket 82 as shown more particularly in Fig. ,11 of the drawings and forming means for adjusting the bracket and holding the same in its adjusted position. A look nut 93 is shown as carried by the screw 92. Secured'to the rear end of each of the cylinders 84 of the hydraulic jacks is a threaded nipple 94 to which one end of a tube or hose 95 is secured for a purpose to be later described.

For pivotally connecting the back filler or plow frame to the tractor I provide the brackmgs. projection 97 which passes through an openets 96 of the construction shown mor e particularly in Figs. 9, 10 and 13 of the draw- Each of these brackets has alug or ing in the end of its associated sidebeam 67 and is held therein by means of the collar 98 and screw 99. This forms a pivotal -connection between the bracket-and side beam. Thebrackets 96 are of the shape shown more particularly in Figs. 9 and 13. to engage the outer sides of the track frames 63 and are secured thereby by means of the nuts and bolts 100 and 101. Each of the brackets 96 is further provided on its inner face with a recess 402 to receive the projecting end of the rear axle 61 to which the track frames are secured. I

Supported andcarried by the tractor is an oil tank 103 which supplies oil to the hydraulic jacks. The oil is conveyed to and from the tank 103' through means of the pipe 104, the lower end of the pipe leading and connected to a valve casing 105. Leading from the valve casing 105 are the pipes 106 to which the hose or tubes 95 are connected. The valve, not shown, within the valve casing 105 will be operated through means of' the lever 107, within easy reach of the operator of the tractor, connected to the valve by means of the rod or bar 108. Preferably a pump, not illustrated, will be provided for controlling the passage of-theoil to or from the tank 103and through the valve within the valve casing 105. It will be understood that the hose or tubes 95 form a flexible connection between the hydraulic jacks'and the pipes connected to the valve casing to allow for relative'movement of the track frame and other parts when passing over .uneven ground. A casing'or housing 109 is preferably provided, as shown more particularly in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings for enclosing the hydraulic jacks. At 110 and 111 I have indicated wear plates secured to the side or thrust beams 67 and the track frames 63 respectively, to take the side thrust of the back filler or plow frame.

From the above detail description it is thought that the form of my invention dis: closed more/particularly in Figs. 7 to 13 inclusive of the drawings will be clearly understood. In this form of my-inyention ahydraulic jack is mounted on each of the side bar 72 act as a brace to eliminate any twist or strain on the side or push beams of the back filler or plow frame. When the bell crank levers are operated the back filler or plow frame will be raised or lowered, according to the direction of movement of the levers. .The engagement of the rollers 79 with the brackets 80 will act as fulcrums. When the-back filler or plow frame and blade are in the position shown more particularly in Fig. 7 of the drawings and it is desired to raise the blade the operator will manipulate the lever 107 which will position the valve within the valve casing 105 to permit oil to pass from the tank '103 through the pipe 104, valve casing 105,

cause the arms 81 of the bell crank levers to be pushed forwardly and raise the back filler or plow frame and blade carried thereby, it being understood that the rollers 79 engaging the brackets 80 will act as a fulcrum. The frame may be held in its raised position as long as desired and when it I is desired to lower the same the operator manipulates the lever 107 to so position the valve in the casing 105 as to allow the oil to pass from the cylinders 84 back into the tank 103. r

In that form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 13 the hydraulic jacks at opposite sides may be operated together or separately thus enabling the operator to raise or lower one side at a time, if desired. It might be necessary at sometime, when operating, one

side is overloaded and through the fact that;

either one of the cylinders can. be operated separately, the'overloaded side could have more pressure applied to that side. The

weight of the moldboard or ,forward end of I track is going up and through the fact that the jacks are directly connected to the pipe 106 from one side to the other causes the two jacks to always be equalized in pressure. It will be further understood that the valve controlled by the lever 107 may be positioned, when desired, for operating both Jacks in including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a member "pivotally connected to the blade carrying frame and engaging the track frame, and

-means for operating said member to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

3. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having-a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a member carried by the blade carrying frame and engaging the track frame at approximately the longitudinal center line thereof, and means for operating the member to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

4. A scraperpf the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a member pivotally connected to the blade carrying frame and having a portion engageable with the track frame at approximately the longitudinal center thereof, and means carried by the blade carrying frame for operating the member to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

5. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to and carried by the blade carrying frame, one arm of said lever overlying and engaging the track frame, and meansconnected to the opposite arm of the bell crank lever for operating the same to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

6. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to and carried by the blade carrying frame, one arm of said lever overlying-and engaging the track frame at approximately the longitudinal center thereo and means connected to the opposite arm of the bell crank lever for operating the same to raise and lower the blade carrying frame. 1

7. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to and carried by the blade carrying frame, one arm of the bell crank lever overlying the track frame, a roller carried by the overlying arm and engageable with the track frame, and means connected to the opposite arm of the bell crank lever for operating the same to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

8.'A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to and car-' ried by the blade carrying frame, one armof the bell crank lever overlying the track frame, a roller carried by the overlying arm and engageable with the track frame at approximately the longitudinal center thereof,

and means connected to the opposite arm of the bell crank lever for operating thesame to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

9. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having track frames, {a blade carrying frame surrounding the tractor, and pivotally connected thereto,.said blade carrying frame including side beams and end beams, a member carried by each of the side beams of the blade carrying frame and engageable with the track frames, and means carried by-one of the end beams of the blade carrying frame and connected to the members carried by the side beams thereof for operating the members to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

10. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor havfor operating the same to raise andlower the blade carrying frame.

11. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor havhaving a portion overlying and engaging the bearing plate of the adjacent track frame at approximately the longitudinal center of the track frame, and means carried by one of the end beams of the blade carrying frame and connected to the bed crank levers'for operating the same to raise and lower the blade c'arrylng frame.

12. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having track frames, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, members carried by the blade carrying frame and engage able with the track frames, and hydraulic means connected to said members for operating the same to raise and lower the blade car rying frame.

13. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having track frames, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, members carried by the blade carrying frame and engaglever pivotally connected to the blade carrying the track frames, and hydraulic means carried by the blade carrying frame and connected to the members for raising and lowering the blade carrying frame.

14. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractorhaving a track frame, a blade carryingframe pivotal ly connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to the blade carr ing frame and having one arm overlying an engaging the track frame, and a hydraulic jack mounted on the blade carrying frame and connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever for operating the same to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

2 15. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor,-a bell crank lever'pivotally connected to the blade carrying frame and having one arm overlying and engaging the track frame, a hydraulic jack mounted on the blade carrying frame and connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever for operating the same to raise and lower the blade carrying frame, and means for adjusting the hyraulic jack.

16. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor,-a bell crank ing frame and havin one arm overlying and engaging the track rame, and a hydraulic jack mounted on the blade carrying frame and adapted for operating the .bell crank lever to raise and lower the blade carrying frame, said hydraulic jack including a cylinder pivotally connected to the blade carrying frame and a piston operable in the cylin er and connected to an arm of the bell crank lever.

17. A scraper of the character described in- 18. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a bracket mounted on the track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a member carried by the blade carrying frame and engageable with the bracket secured to the track frame, and means for operating said member to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

19. A scraper of the character described including in, combination with a tractor haV-' ing a track frame, a bracket secured to the track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to the blade carrying frame and having an arm overlying the bracket secured to the'track frame, a roller carried by said overlying arm and engageable with the bracket, and means connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever for operating the same to raise and lower the blade carrying frame. I

20. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a bracket secured to the track frame, a blade carrying frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to the blade carrying frame and" having an arm overlying the bracket secured to the track frame, a roller carried by said' overlying arm and engageble with the bracket at approximately the longitudinal .center of the track frame, and means connected to the'other arm of the bell crank lever for operating the same to raise and lower the blade carrying frame. I

21. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying frame including side beams pivotally connected to the tractor, a bell crank lever pivotally connected to'each of the side beams of the blade carrying frame and having one arm overlying and engaging the adjacent track frame,

'a hydraulicv Jack mounted on each of the side beams of the blade carrying frame and connected to the other arms of the bell crank levers for operating the bell crank levers to raise and lower the blade carrying frame and means for controlling the operation of the hydraulic jacks.

22. A scraper of the character-described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a blade carrying "frame connected to the tractor, a member carried by the blade carrying frame and engaging the track frame, and means for operating the member to raise and lower the blade carrying frame.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

HARRY C. BUFFINGTON. 

